Thus concludes the two hundred and fifty-second chapter, titled "The Account of Krishna's Departure to His Own Abode," within the sacred dialogue between Uma and Maheshvara in the Uttarakanda of the glorious Padma Purana. Now, as the narration continues, the sage Jaimini, filled with reverence and curiosity, approaches the wise Vyasa and asks, "O Vyasa, great-minded one, please reveal to me the true nature of Kriyayoga. I am eager to understand this path from you." Vyasa, compassionate and learned, replies, "O noble Brahmin, the human body is a rare and precious gift in this world. Having obtained such a body, the wise should dedicate themselves to the practice of yoga, for it leads to liberation. Both Kriyayoga—the yoga of action—and Dhyana-yoga—the yoga of meditation—are called yogas. Of these, Kriyayoga is the first, and it grants all desires to those who sincerely practice it. "O best of twice-born, the limbs of Kriyayoga are as follows: bathing in the sacred Ganga, worshipping Lord Vishnu, performing acts of charity, showing devotion to Brahmins, and observing the sacred fast of Ekadashi. In addition, devotion to the amalaki and tulasi plants, as well as honoring guests, are also considered important aspects of Kriyayoga. "Perfection may be attained through the discipline of meditation, but the discipline of action—Kriyayoga—leads one to the supreme abode of Vishnu. Those who are devoted to this path of action are truly blessed." Hearing this, Jaimini, ever eager for knowledge, requests, "O venerable one, you have described the various limbs of Kriyayoga. If you are pleased with me, please explain their greatness in detail. What are the virtues of the Ganga? What is the fruit of worshipping Vishnu? Which gifts are considered the best, and what is the devotion of the twice-born? What is the fruit of observing Ekadashi, and what is the significance of devotion to the dhatri tree and to Tulasi? What is the importance of honoring guests? O sage, please explain all these things. In all the three worlds, there is none but you who can clarify these matters." Vyasa, pleased with Jaimini’s pure-hearted inquiry, responds warmly, "Excellent, excellent, O best of Brahmins! Surely your mind is pure, for you seek to hear this secret teaching with faith and eagerness. The virtues of Bhagirathi—the Ganga—are truly beyond full description, but I shall speak of them briefly. Listen with a focused mind. "Simply reciting the two syllables 'Ganga' with reverence, one is freed from sin and attains the supreme elixir of the elements. The Ganga is accessible everywhere, but there are three places where she is most difficult to reach: Gangadvara, Prayaga, and the confluence where the Ganga meets the ocean. At the delightful Gangadvara, all the gods, along with Indra, gather to bathe, give gifts, and perform sacred rites. "By divine arrangement, those who give up their bodies at Gangadvara—whether human, animal, or even insect—attain the highest state. Now, O sage among Brahmins, listen to an ancient tale I am about to tell you. By merely hearing it with attention, one is freed from all sins. "There was once a king named Manobhadra, born of the illustrious lunar dynasty. He was powerful, well-versed in all duties, and lived righteously in this world. His queen, Hemaprabha, was sweet-spoken, devoted to her husband, greatly fortunate, and adorned with all auspicious marks. "Having conquered all his enemies in battle, this mighty king ruled the entire earth, with its islands and oceans. One day, King Manobhadra, protector of the realm, summoned his ministers and spoke to them affectionately in the royal assembly. "He said, 'O ministers, I have protected this whole earth. All my enemies, along with their sons, armies, and vehicles, have been vanquished. My own clans are secure, Brahmins have been satisfied with gifts, and the gods have been honored. Through sacrifices and proper offerings, I have upheld my lineage. Yet now, old age has taken away my strength. I am weak, unable to perform even simple actions, and royal splendor does not shine in one who lacks ability. "'Just as a woman adorned with every ornament loses her charm with age, so too does a king lose his glory when his strength fades. Once ability is lost, even those who once admired her turn their gaze elsewhere. In the same way, the earth abandons an aged king, just as a free woman leaves her guardian. All virtues are gained through devotion, and great fame is attained through virtue. Supreme good is achieved through giving, and the earth is gained through strength. One who lacks ability, though pitiable, is surely ruled by enemies. "'A king who listens only to fools brings ruin upon himself. Therefore, I wish to divide the kingdom among the best ministers, or better yet, give it to my two sons, if you all agree.' "The ministers replied, 'O king, your words are wise and reflect your knowledge of statecraft. We agree with your decision.' At the king's command, his two sons—Virabhadra and Yashobhadra—were summoned. Both were endowed with all virtues, kind in speech, devoted to their father, peaceful, strong, and intent on righteousness. "Then, the wise king divided his entire kingdom and bestowed it upon his sons. At that very moment, a vulture, accompanied by his mate, arrived and sat in the midst of the assembly. Seeing these birds, the people were filled with wonder and joy. "The king asked, 'Tell me, for what auspicious reason have you two come?' The vulture replied, 'O protector of the earth, I am a vulture, and this is my mate. We have come joyfully to witness the prosperity of your sons. In their previous birth, they suffered a great calamity. In this birth, we have come to see their well-being.' "Hearing these most wondrous words from the vulture, the king was seized by amazement and turned to the sage for guidance.